Canine leishmaniasis in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil: epidemiology, factors associated with seropositivity and spatial analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, factors associated with seropositivity to Leishmania infection in dogs and spatial analysis in six municipalities in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 462 dogs, 77 in each municipality, and used for serological analysis [dual path platform (DPP®) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)]. Clinical signs of dogs were evaluated and associated factors for Leishmania infection were analyzed using robust Poisson regression model. A seroprevalence of 42.8% (198/462, IC: 95% = 38.6%-47.6%) was detected in dogs that tested positive in both tests, ranging from 29.8% to 55.8%, with higher prevalence in the municipality of Cabrobó (55.8%; P = 0.006). About 67% (132/198) of the seropositive dogs showed one or more clinical signs suggestive of canine leishmaniasis (CanL), such as lymphadenomegaly, skin lesions and conjunctivitis, which were associated with seropositivity. High seroprevalence levels were identified in urban and rural areas in all the municipalities, and the buffer for sand flies around cases covered almost these entire areas. Spatial analysis revealed a significant cluster, showing a relative risk of 1.88 in the urban area of Cabrobó. The higher density of seropositive dogs in urban areas indicates the need effective control measures against CanL to prevent the emergence of canine and human diseases.

Canine leishmaniasis in an endemic region, Northeastern Brazil: a comparative study with four groups of animals

“…Herein, it was observed that male dogs were mostly affected by the disease in Sergipe (OR = 2.52). According to Silva et al ( 2016 ) and Evaristo et al ( 2020 ), the prevalence of male dogs infected in the semiarid region of the Northeast is about 2.25 times higher than that in females, mainly in animals of 12 and 84 months of age.…”

“…Several studies in the literature aim to assess the influence of biological factors, such as sex and age, on the positivity rate for leishmaniasis (Silva et al 2016 ; Campos et al 2017 ; Evaristo et al 2020 ). Herein, it was observed that male dogs were mostly affected by the disease in Sergipe (OR = 2.52).…”

Detection and molecular characterization of Leishmania in dogs from northeastern Brazil

“…Apesar das prevalências em Lagoa Grande (9,1%) e Santa Maria da Boa Vista (1,8%) terem sido mais baixas da mesorregião do São Francisco, Evaristo et al 38 . observaram, num estudo epidemiológico realizado nestas regiões, que estes municípios são zonas endêmicas com um elevado risco de transmissão.…”